Report: Blackpool 0 Hull City 0

2013 for Blackpool began with a stalemate, as The Seasiders drew 0-0 with Hull City at Bloomfield Road.

In a game of few clear cut chances, Thomas Ince came closest for Pool, when his 85th minute effort produced a full stretch save from Hull ‘keeper Eldin Jakupovic.

After a quiet start to the contest, some good early pressure from the visitors gave them the opportunity to have the first attempt at goal. On loan midfielder David Meyler shot from just outside the area, but his strike flew over.

Hull’s Sone Aluko was making his return to Bloomfield Road following a brief spell as a Seasider in 2008. He tried to make his old club pay with a shot from distance, but also failed to find the target.

Michael Appleton’s side then began to settle, and started to control possession of the ball. Ince picked up on a loose ball and fired an effort on target from 20 yards, but his shot was comfortably held by Jakupovic.

That was pretty much as close as Pool came to taking the lead before half time, despite a sustained period of pressure. Ince, Neal Eardley and Stephen Crainey all swung dangerous looking balls into the box, but the visitors defence held firm.

Gary Taylor-Fletcher burst into the box by playing the ball through the legs of James Chester, but Abdoulaye Faye got across to clear. Good work down the wing from Chris Basham then gave him the chance to cross, but again Hull were equal to the challenge, ensuring the two sides went in level at the break.

HALF TIME: BLACKPOOL 0 HULL CITY 0

The second half saw Hull City make two changes with the introduction of strikers Jay Simpson and Nick Proschwitz. They then carved out the best chance of the match so far, when Simpson met a perfect cross in, but couldn’t generate the power or direction on his header to beat Matt Gilks.

Gilks was then called into action again moments later, but was well placed to hold a Robbie Brady free-kick.

Wes Thomas then looked to make something happen for the home side by cutting in from the right and firing in a left footed shot, but the striker was off balance and his shot flew harmlessly wide.

Ludovic Sylvestre then had the opportunity to take aim, when he found space to shoot after an intricate interchange with Ince. The midfielder couldn’t get over the bouncing ball however, and his shot from the edge of the area failed to test Jakupovic.

Basham then tried his luck from distance, but could only find the stand with his attempt at a dipping volley.

With time ticking away, Hull spurned a massive chance to take the lead when Stephen Quinn found Corry Evans in the area. The midfielder steadied himself, but somehow failed to find the target and shot over the bar.

Ince then forced Jakupovic into action for the first time in the contest, when he looked to curl a shot into the top corner from outside the area. Momentarily he appeared to have succeeded, but the England Under-21 international was denied by a fine save from the Tigers ‘keeper.

Substitute Nathan Delfouneso then tested Jakupovic with the final effort of the match. He picked the ball up inside the area, then cut inside onto his left foot and let fly with a shot that Jakupovic had to palm away for a corner.